Systematic review of field research reveals critical shortfalls for restoration of tropical grassy biomes

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(6), P. 1174 - 1186

Published: March 30, 2024

Abstract Scientists and policymakers are becoming aware of the pressing need to restore tropical grassy biomes (TGB), which home unique biodiversity provide essential ecosystem services hundreds millions people. TGB face increasing threats, including forest‐ tree‐centric restoration approaches that promote their degradation we still lack a systematic assessment where how research has been done guide policy practice. We synthesized knowledge on field experiments by conducting literature review map studies, examine association techniques sources investigate diversity indicators used monitor outcomes. was concentrated at Brazilian Australian savannas, with large blindspots in Asia, Africa northern western South America. Studies were largely context‐dependent, an inconsistent usage different degradation. Less than half evaluated monitored consistently through time, often using low‐dimensional approach related functioning. Few studies manipulated fire, herbivores soils, key drivers for re‐establishment dynamics. Unfortunately, many lacked negative (degraded ecosystems), positive (reference ecosystems) controls, or both, impairing attempts robustly determine Our overview highlights needs improvement refine our ability assess, plan, implement restoration. Severe issues experimental designs data reporting identified as barriers find generality upscale meet goals UN Decade Ecosystem Restoration. Synthesis applications . synthesis calls enhanced experiments, transparent quantitative syntheses large‐scale The overall improving resilience measuring outcomes hampers meaningful comparisons between hinders synthetic views determining appropriate suitable monitoring indicators. To overcome scarcity reliable supporting restoration, propose simple checklist minimum information more complete multilingual standardized guidelines.

Language: Английский

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Challenges and directions for open ecosystems biodiversity restoration: An overview of the techniques applied for Cerrado

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 60(5), P. 849 - 858

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

Abstract Ecological restoration of tropical open ecosystems remains challenging for both science and practice. Over the last decade, innovative techniques have been developed, but whether they successful or not to be demonstrated. Assessing outcomes these initiatives is crucial drive following steps improve grasslands savanna restoration. Analysing 82 data sets from literature primary collection, we assessed effectiveness passive active applied in Cerrado ecosystems. We used plant diversity variables (species growth forms) as indicators, considering ruderals exotics non‐target species. Specifically, aimed answer: (i) How does target species change through time areas subject restoration? (ii) Are effective restoring proportion found old‐growth reference ecosystems? (iii) Have current recovering proportions forms that do increase with time, suggesting limitations typical colonise degraded sites. Hence, will promote conservation a limited constant number This depend on magnitude degradation previous land use. The currently restore biodiversity are reaching standards, distinct driving communities different forms. Active based propagules obtained pristine donor sites (topsoil translocation, material transplant, seeding) performed better than most analysed. Synthesis applications : Different roles determining structure functioning vegetation. A mix can approximate proportionality Singular approaches insufficient ecosystem biodiversity. Mixed efforts encompassing various required instead. Furthermore, it likely success improved greater investment improving our understanding of, developing existing techniques.

Language: Английский

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Environmental factors and soil properties that drive the distribution and diversity patterns of weeds and ecosystem multifunctionality in alpine grassland

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111103 - 111103

Published: March 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Effects of geomorphological processes and landforms on the soil and vegetation characteristics: A case study of Davarzan alluvial fan, Northeast Iran

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(5)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Comprehensive understanding of the effects alluvial fan geomorphology on soil and vegetation properties can lead to better conservation management soils. This study aims analyse geomorphological landforms processes Davarzan soils vegetation. Aerial images were obtained by a DJI Phantom4 Professional drone measure density (VD) canopy cover (VCC). Subsequently, six topographic profiles from surfaces provided 10‐cm DEMs, prepared aerial images. A total 36 samples gathered different (bar, swale, channel interfluve) positions (toe apex) surfaces. Soil including sand%, silt%, clay%, organic carbon (TOC), hydraulic conductivity (K) water content (W) measured. Results show that TOC, clay% silt% are higher at old surface than relict young Lower (especially its toe) be attributed entrenched crenulated with relatively steep topography, making it prone greater erosion. Nevertheless, means ones, likely due fact beds deep channels developed have shaded conditions closer groundwater. Data reveal VD VCC toes apexes, interfluves abandoned surfaces, swales bars surface. Overall, relative age, landforms, morphometry, (i.e., weathering aggradation) dominant factors affecting characteristics.

Language: Английский

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Spectral asynchrony as a measure of ecosystem response diversity

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Species diversity is crucial for promoting ecosystem resilience and stability. promotes complementarity in resource use, resulting a wider range of responses to adverse conditions. This enables populations different species fluctuate asynchronously, maintaining functioning during extreme climatic events. However, incorporating such mechanisms into conservation decisions modelling requires scalable metrics that represent diversity, which currently lacking. To address this, we introduce spectral asynchrony, metric captures the spatial heterogeneity species’ functional occurring distinct pixels. Here, use remote sensing datasets investigate relationship between asynchrony productivity seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) fluctuations. Our findings reveal associated with increased resistance recovery SDTF following drought years, as well greater stability over two decades. Furthermore, higher was relatively wetter regions, suggesting increasing aridity across could potentially reduce landscape limit droughts future. Spectral provides an easily measurable monitorable assessing global changes, reflecting scaling‐up effects at local level.

Language: Английский

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Key processes and timescales of tropical earth formation

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 254, P. 104804 - 104804

Published: May 10, 2024

Understanding the formation of tropical yellow to red earth (TYRE) is essential for preserving soil multifunctionality in well-drained landscapes. Weathering and bioturbation mutually interact TYRE evolution, whereas allochthonous materials appear restricted distinct (paleo)landscapes. A layered appearance can result from quasi-constant deposition invertebrate mound debris, outcompeting diffusional mixing. Age-depth profiles optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) charcoal radiocarbon (14Cchar) data sites different landscapes, both literature present study, all reveal upbuilding, accordance with our model. The rates upbuilding are mostly range 100–200 mm*ka−1, which conforms published mounding termites ants. By comparison, geochemical transformation rock saprolite proceeds at least one order magnitude smaller. Termites mining saprolite, sometimes even below indurated subsoil, produce TYRE, thus linking interconnected subsystems differing process rates. work bioengineers appears transforming deep-weathering products into well-structured TYRE. Future research may extend provided database, spatial scale, use geochronology, coupled paleoenvironmental proxies, further enhance understanding landscape as basis advances sustainable land use.

Language: Английский

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Soil extracellular enzymes as drivers of soil carbon storage under nitrogen addition

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 2, 2025

Enhanced anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs to ecosystems may have substantial impacts on microbially mediated soil organic carbon (SOC) cycling. One way link species-rich microbial communities with SOC cycling processes is via extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs). However, the effects of N addition EEAs and associated driving factors remain poorly understood. By conducting a meta-analysis, we find that increases hydrolytic C-degrading target simple polysaccharides decomposition by 12.8%, but decreases oxidative degrade complex phenolic macromolecules 11.9%. The net effect storage determined shifts between these two types EEAs, varied across different ecosystem types. These insights highlight crucial understudied roles dynamics ongoing enhanced loading. Understanding mechanisms behind could help optimize sequestration inform climate mitigation strategies ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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The impact of wind energy on plant biomass production in China

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Dec. 15, 2023

Global wind power expansion raises concerns about its potential impact on plant biomass production (PBP). Using a high-dimensional fixed effects model, this study reveals significant PBP reduction due to farm construction based 2404 farms, 108,361 turbines, and 7,904,352 observations during 2000-2022 in China. Within 1-10 km buffer, the normalized differential vegetation enhanced indices decrease from 0.0097 0.0045 0.0075 0.0028, respectively. Similarly, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation gross primary productivity decline 0.0094 0.0034% 0.0003-0.0002 g*C/m2 within 1-7 buffer. Adverse last over three years, magnified summer autumn, are more pronounced at lower altitudes plains. Forest carbon sinks by 12,034 tons 0-20 radius, causing an average economic loss of $1.81 million per farm. Our findings underscore balanced mitigation strategies for renewable energy transition when transiting fossil fuels.

Language: Английский

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Carbon Storage in Different Compartments in Eucalyptus Stands and Native Cerrado Vegetation

Plants, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(14), P. 2751 - 2751

Published: July 24, 2023

This study evaluated Carbon (C) storage in different compartments eucalyptus stands and native Cerrado vegetation. To determine C above ground, an inventory was carried out the areas where diameter at breast height (DBH), base (Db), total tree (H) were measured. In stands, rigorous cubage made by direct method, vegetation, it determined indirect method through allometric equation. Roots collected using circular monoliths to a depth of 60 cm volume cylinder. Samples up 100 deep estimate stock soil. All samples directly had CHNS elemental analyzer. Gas manually closed chamber, gas concentration chromatography. The results indicate high studied > 183.99 Mg ha-1, could contribute CO2 mitigation 674.17 ha-1. addition low emissions (<1 kg ha-1 yr-1) for three areas, with no statistical difference relation Global Warming Potential. Concerning cerrado vegetation conversion, "4-year-old stand" seemed restore original soil carbon stocks first-meter depth, regardless some losses that might have occurred right after establishment. Conversely, significant loss observed due alternative setting, similar natural land converted into agriculture, mostly soybean, then, years later, turned "6-year-old (28.43 ha-1). Under this study, these mixed series baselines landscape transitions reflected on unlike dynamics outcomes, whereas bottom line, higher younger forest (4-year-old stand). Therefore, our finding indicates we should be thoughtful regarding upscaling sequestration from small-scale measurements regional scales.

Language: Английский

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Termites are key drivers of short‐term deadwood decay in Neotropical Cerrado across vegetation types

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract The impact of deadwood in ecosystems is dependent on its longevity, as determined by decay rates controlled agents. Despite the importance macroclimate, significant variation within a given macroclimatic envelope has been reported. Such may be driven local‐scale microenvironmental conditions regulated plant community structure well presence specific biotic and abiotic agents, decoupling relation between macroclimate rates. In this study, we evaluated with relative agents Neotropical Cerrado. For this, performed wood mass loss experiment using Pinus taeda which was installed at three sites vegetation types differing canopy cover—grasslands, savannas woodlands; divided into treatments according to exposure agents—microorganism, termite solar radiation. Across sites, found termites microbes decomposed twice fast alone, while radiation not strong driver our sites. Additionally, affected decay, frequency blocks discovered were lower woodlands than grasslands savannas. Our study highlights interactive effects turnover, mainly due differences foraging behaviour among key role throughout

Language: Английский

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